A 36-year old staff of a new generation bank in Lagos has been arrested and charged before a Magistrate’s court sitting at Ejigbo, for allegedly conspiring to steal N23m lodged in the account of a deceased client of the bank.
The staff, Nicholas Anthony, allegedly conspired with one Junior Walter and Akeem now at large had facilitated documents and attempted to claim the late customer’s money, but the keen eyed management of the bank discovered the fraud before they could withdraw the money.
The incident happened at a branch of Eco Bank at Ilepo area in Ejigbo, Lagos where Anthony worked as a staff.
Both Anthony and Walter who had been earlier arrested were separately arraigned and are facing charges of criminal conspiracy to commit felony, a crime punishable under the Criminal Code.
It was gathered that Anthony who had knowledge of the death of the customer contacted other suspects and processed documents to claim the money as beneficiary.
Anthony handed the documents to Walter to come to the bank and present it to the management for payment.
However, the management detected the scam because the late customer was well known to them.
Walter was promptly arrested and handed over to the police at Ejigbo division where he was interrogated.
During the investigation, Walter confessed that it was Anthony that provided and filled the papers which he gave him to present to the bank management.
Consequently, Anthony was arrested and charged to court on Wednesday for the alleged offence.
When he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr. A.A. Fashola granted Anthony bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety who must show evidence of tax payment and address verified.
Anthony was remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The case was adjourned till 13 April 2016.
